Forget the diffusion--do we need T2-weighted MR images to detect early central nervous system injury?

SUMMARY: T2- and diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations performed with techniques adopted from the brain are practical in the spinal cord. Results indicate that these modalities will be highly useful for characterizing radiation injury to the spinal cord and illuminate our understanding of the brain's response to radiation therapy. Further technical developments will be required to make high-spatial-resolution, high-quality axial DW imaging practical in routine clinical use.